WO2009133651A1

WO2009133651A1 - Navigation device

Info

Publication number: WO2009133651A1
Application number: PCT/JP2009/000997
Authority: WO
Inventors: 町野浩
Original assignee: 三菱電機株式会社
Priority date: 2008-04-28
Filing date: 2009-03-05
Publication date: 2009-11-05
Also published as: DE112009000554B4; JP5289431B2; CN101981413A; US20110022302A1; CN101981413B; DE112009000554T5; JPWO2009133651A1

Abstract

Provided is a navigation device comprised of a map data storage unit (12) for storing flags which include only the information required for executing a navigation function created on the basis of map data, and a controller (10) which reads out the flags from the map data storage unit and uses the flags which have been read out to execute the navigation function.

Description

Navigation device

The present invention relates to a navigation device that guides and guides a user to a destination, and particularly relates to a technique for efficiently executing a navigation function such as route search or guidance.

In the conventional navigation device, the current position of the own vehicle obtained by the own vehicle position calculation unit is displayed on the display device so as to overlap the map. In addition, a route search is performed in which a recommended route from the current position of the vehicle to the destination via the waypoint is searched based on the map data and displayed on the map. Further, based on the road link data included in the map database, guidance guidance according to the recommended route obtained by the route search is performed.

Such a navigation device uses data such as road width, road class and speed limit of individual roads included in the map database when performing a navigation function such as route search or guidance. And in order to implement | achieve a navigation function, a huge amount of map data is acquired from a map database, and the process is performed. Therefore, there is a problem that it takes a lot of time for processing.

In order to solve such a problem, Patent Document 1 discloses a map data creation device capable of creating map data capable of reducing the amount of data read for performing an optimum route search. This map data creation device creates hierarchical map data having a hierarchical level 1 region, a level 2 region, and a dedicated network corresponding to each combination of two level 2 regions. The upper layer transition search range rectangle creation unit of the map data creation device pays attention to one level 1 region and actually extends a search branch to a level 2 region including this level 1 region or another adjacent level 2 region. A route that reaches the included upper node is detected, and map data corresponding to the level 1 region is created. The dedicated network creation unit creates map data including a result of actually searching for a route connecting two level 2 regions.

Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a navigation device that can search for an optimum route and that can speed up the processing. In this navigation device, the upper layer transition search range rectangle specifying unit reliably reaches the upper node of the level 2 region when searching in the level 1 region corresponding to each of the starting point and the destination. An upper-layer transition search range rectangle that can be set is set, and the upper node search unit extracts an upper node within the upper-layer transition search range rectangle. The upper-node route search unit searches for a route connecting upper nodes corresponding to the departure point and the destination extracted by the upper-node search unit using a dedicated network.

Further, Patent Document 3 discloses a navigation device that can reduce the amount of difference data and can easily perform difference update. In this navigation device, an invariant link ID (permanent link ID) is attached to an object such as a link constituting a road, and each record in drawing data, route search data, and route guidance data is described using this invariant link ID. Map data. When creating the difference data, the difference data created by comparing the old map data and the new map data is input to the navigation device. In the navigation device, the old map data stored in the map recording medium and the input difference are input. The old map data is updated to the new map data using the data.

JP 2003-323112 A JP 2003-337034 A JP 2004-287705 A

However, the above-described conventional technology has a problem that the size of the program for realizing the navigation function becomes too large, resulting in a decrease in processing capability, and it is impossible to quickly provide route information or guidance information to the user. In addition, since the program becomes complicated, it takes a lot of time to produce the program, and there are problems that the failure of the program occurs frequently.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a navigation device that can reduce the program size and increase the processing capability.

In order to solve the above problems, a navigation device according to the present invention includes a map data storage unit that holds a flag that includes only information necessary for executing a navigation function created based on map data, and a flag from the map data storage unit. And a control unit that executes a navigation function using the read flag.

According to the navigation device of the present invention, since the navigation function is executed using the flag including only information necessary for executing the navigation function, the navigation function is executed by directly reading a large amount of map data. There is no need. Accordingly, since the program for realizing the navigation function can be simplified, the size can be reduced and the program processing capability can be increased. As a result, route information or guidance information can be quickly provided to the user. In addition, the simplification of the program makes it possible to shorten the program production time, and further reduce the occurrence of program failures.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the navigation apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the main process performed in the navigation apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the destination setting screen displayed in the navigation apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the search condition setting screen displayed in the navigation apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the flag stored in the map data storage part in the navigation apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention, and the HOV function implement | achieved by the control part. It is a figure for demonstrating the HOV lane position represented by the flag produced in the navigation apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process which determines the possibility of HOV lane change performed in the navigation apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
Embodiment 1 FIG.
1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a navigation apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The navigation device includes a navigation unit 1, a monitor 2, a remote controller (hereinafter abbreviated as “remote controller”) 3, an audio speaker 4, and an external memory 5.

The navigation unit 1 is the core of this navigation device, and executes program processing such as map display, route search, route display, and guidance. Details of the navigation unit 1 will be described later.

The monitor 2 is composed of, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and depending on the video signal sent from the navigation unit 1, a map, a vehicle position mark, a route to the destination, a route guide map, and other Display various messages. The monitor 2 is provided with a remote control light receiving unit 21. The remote control light receiving unit 21 receives an optical signal sent from the remote control 3 and sends it to the navigation unit 1 as an input signal via the monitor 2.

The remote controller 3 is used by the user to scroll the map displayed on the monitor 2, input a waypoint and destination, and respond to a message prompting an operation. Note that a touch panel may be provided instead of the remote controller 3 or in combination with the remote controller 3. The touch panel is configured by a touch sensor placed on the screen of the monitor 2, and the user inputs various information by directly touching the touch sensor.

The audio speaker 4 outputs a guidance message by voice according to the voice signal sent from the navigation unit 1. The external memory 5 is an option, and is composed of, for example, a memory card or a USB memory. The external memory 5 stores data similar to the data stored in the recording medium 11a inserted into the disk drive device 11 described later. If this external memory 5 is used, a large amount of data can be stored, and the data can be accessed at high speed.

Next, the details of the navigation unit 1 will be described. The navigation unit 1 includes a control unit 10, a disk drive device 11, a map data storage unit 12, a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver 13, a vehicle speed sensor 14, a gyro sensor 15, a road information receiver 16, an input unit 17, and an output unit. It is comprised from 18.

The control unit 10 is composed of a microcomputer, for example, and controls the entire navigation unit 1. Details of the control unit 10 will be described later.

The disk drive device 11 reproduces the recorded contents by inserting a recording medium 11a on which map data and flags are recorded, for example, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) or a CD (Compact Disc). The map data defines node and road link data, lane markers, and the like (details will be described later). The flag is a data block obtained by extracting elements necessary for executing each of the navigation functions from elements (data such as road width, road class, speed limit, etc.) constituting map data. Map data and flags reproduced by the disk drive device 11 are sent to the map data storage unit 12.

The map data storage unit 12 temporarily stores map data and flags sent from the disk drive device 11 or the external memory 5. The map data and flag stored in the map data storage unit 12 are referred to by the control unit 10. The map data storage unit 12 can also be configured from an HDD (Hard Disk Disk Drive). In this case, the disk drive device 11 and the external memory 5 are not necessary.

The GPS receiver 13 detects the current position of the vehicle based on the GPS signal received from the GPS satellite via the antenna. The current position of the vehicle detected by the GPS receiver 13 is sent to the control unit 10 as a current position signal. The vehicle speed sensor 14 detects the speed of the vehicle based on an external signal sent from the vehicle on which the navigation device is mounted. The vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor 14 is sent to the control unit 10 as a speed signal. The gyro sensor 15 detects the traveling direction of the vehicle. The traveling direction of the vehicle detected by the gyro sensor 15 is sent to the control unit 10 as a direction signal.

The road information receiver 16 receives a road information signal transmitted from an external road traffic data communication system, for example. The road information signal received by the road information receiver 16 is sent to the control unit 10. Based on the road information signal sent from the road information receiver 16, the control unit 10 creates a message indicating the traffic congestion state on the road and outputs it via the monitor 2 and the audio speaker 4 to notify the user.

The input unit 17 receives and analyzes an input signal sent from the remote control 3 via the remote control light receiving unit 21, and sends the result of this analysis to the control unit 10 as an operation command. The input unit 17 has a voice recognition function for recognizing a voice signal sent from a microphone (not shown), analyzes the result of voice recognition by the voice recognition function, and uses the result of this analysis as an operation command as a control unit. 10 can also be configured.

The output unit 18 generates a video signal based on a map, a vehicle position mark and drawing data for drawing a route and an operation command sent from the control unit 10, and audio data sent from the control unit 10. An audio signal is generated based on The video signal generated by the output unit 18 is sent to the monitor 2. The audio signal generated by the output unit 18 is sent to the audio speaker 4.

Next, details of the control unit 10 will be described. The control unit 10 includes a vehicle position detection unit 90, a human machine interface (hereinafter abbreviated as “HMI”) unit 100, a map display unit 110, a map matching unit 120, a route search unit 130, and a guidance guide unit 140. Yes. These components are configured by a program that operates under the control of a microcomputer.

The own vehicle position detector 90 detects the current position of the vehicle based on the current position signal sent from the GPS receiver 13, and also sends the speed signal sent from the vehicle speed sensor 14 and the gyro sensor 15. Based on the direction signal, the current position of the vehicle is detected by self-contained navigation. For example, even if the GPS receiver 13 cannot receive a GPS signal due to a tunnel or the like, the current position of the vehicle can be detected by self-contained navigation, so that the navigation device can always detect the current position of the vehicle correctly. Current position data representing the current position of the vehicle detected by the vehicle position detection unit 90 is sent to the HMI unit 100, the map display unit 110, the map matching unit 120, the route search unit 130, and the guidance guide unit 140.

The HMI unit 100 uses the map data sent from the map data storage unit 12 and the current position data sent from the vehicle position detection unit 90 to perform an operation sent from an operation panel or input unit 17 (not shown). Process the directive. The HMI unit 100 allows communication between the navigation device and the user. The operation command processed in the HMI unit 100 is sent to the route search unit 130 and the output unit 18.

The map display unit 110 reads map data around the point indicated by the current position data sent from the vehicle position detection unit 90 from the map data storage unit 12, and sends the read map data to the map matching unit 120. Drawing data for displaying a map on the screen of the monitor 2 is generated based on the data representing the vehicle position mark. The drawing data generated by the map display unit 110 is sent to the output unit 18.

The map matching unit 120 displays the vehicle position indicated by the current position data sent from the vehicle position detection unit 90 by a flag created to realize the map matching function read from the map data storage unit 12. A vehicle position mark is formed so as to be superimposed on the map in correspondence with the map. Data representing the vehicle position mark formed by the map matching unit 120 is sent to the map display unit 110 and the guidance guide unit 140.

The route search unit 130 uses the current position of the vehicle indicated by the current position data sent from the vehicle position detection unit 90 to the destination (remote control 3 → remote control light receiving unit 21 → input) set using the remote control 3. Using the remote controller 3 based on the flag created in order to realize the route search function read out from the map data storage unit 12 (the route from the unit 17 to the HMI unit 100). Search according to the set search conditions. The route data representing the route searched by the route search unit 130 is sent to the guidance guide unit 140.

The guidance and guidance unit 140 includes current position data sent from the vehicle position detection unit 90, data representing the vehicle position mark sent from the map matching unit 120, route data sent from the route search unit 130, and Drawing for displaying on the screen of the monitor 2 a guidance guide map such as route guidance output when the vehicle moves based on the flag created to realize the guidance guidance function read from the map data storage unit 12 Voice data for outputting voice guidance guidance messages such as data and intersection guidance is generated and sent to the output unit 18.

As described above, the output unit 18 draws the drawing data for drawing the map sent from the map display unit 110 of the control unit 10, the vehicle position mark and the route sent from the guidance guide unit 140. A video signal is generated on the basis of the drawing data and the operation command sent from the HMI unit 100, and a voice signal is generated on the basis of the voice data sent from the guidance guide unit 140 of the control unit 10.

Next, the operation of the navigation device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention configured as described above will be described by taking as an example a case where it is applied to a road system described below.

In recent years, the number of cars owned by individuals has increased, causing traffic congestion at various locations on the road. In particular, on highways or automobile roads that head to large cities for commuting, most of the cars are on board alone, which is driving traffic congestion. In order to solve this problem, roads whose traffic is restricted by law according to the situation on the vehicle side, such as the number of passengers or the type of vehicle, have been installed.

For example, car pool lanes (Car Pool Lane) used in road systems found mainly in large cities in North America are examples. The car pool lane is also called a HOV lane (High （Occupancy Vehicle Lane). For example, only a vehicle on which a plurality of people are riding is allowed to travel, and a lane attached to a highway is known. The road system that uses this car pool lane encourages multiple people to board a vehicle by giving users the preferential treatment that they can reach their destination in a short time if they travel in the car pool lane. Therefore, it is intended to alleviate traffic congestion by reducing the traffic volume as a whole.

In this specification, the navigation function related to the HOV lane (carpool lane) is referred to as the HOV function. The HOV function includes a HOV map matching function realized by the map matching unit 120, a HOV route search function realized by the route search unit 130, a HOV guidance guide function realized by the guidance guide unit 140, and the like.

The main processing performed in this navigation device will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 2 and the screen examples shown in FIGS. In this main processing, processing such as setting of a departure point, a destination and a waypoint, route search, and guidance guidance start are mainly performed. This will be specifically described below.

In the main process, when the power is turned on, first, current position data and map data are acquired (step ST11). That is, the vehicle position detection unit 90 is sent from the gyro sensor 15 and the vehicle position detected from the vehicle position signal sent from the GPS receiver 13 or the speed signal sent from the vehicle speed sensor 14. The vehicle position detected by the autonomous navigation using the coming direction signal is sent to the map matching unit 120 as current position data. Further, the disk drive device 11 reads the map data and the flag from the set recording medium 11 a and stores them in the map data storage unit 12.

Upon receiving the current position data from the vehicle position detection unit 90, the map matching unit 120 creates the vehicle position indicated by the current position data to realize the HOV map matching function read from the map data storage unit 12. A matching process corresponding to the map represented by the flag is executed. By this matching process, the vehicle position mark is formed on the map. Data representing the vehicle position mark obtained by this matching process is sent to the map display unit 110 and the guidance guide unit 140.

Next, the current location screen is displayed (step ST12). That is, the map display unit 110 reads the map data around the point indicated by the current position data sent from the vehicle position detection unit 90 from the map data storage unit 12, and the read map data and the map matching unit 120. The drawing data for displaying the map on the screen of the monitor 2 is generated based on the data representing the vehicle position mark sent from the vehicle and sent to the output unit 18.

Further, the guidance guide unit 140 generates drawing data for displaying the vehicle position mark on the screen of the monitor 2 based on the data representing the vehicle position mark sent from the map matching unit 120, and outputs the drawing data. Send to 18. The output unit 18 generates a video signal based on the drawing data received from the map display unit 110 and the guidance guide unit 140 and sends it to the monitor 2. Based on the video signal sent from the output unit 18, the monitor 2 displays a map in which the vehicle position mark is superimposed on a map centered on the current position of the vehicle as a current location screen.

Next, the destination is set (step ST13). That is, when the user performs an operation for instructing destination setting using the remote controller 3, a destination setting screen as shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the monitor 2. In this destination setting screen, a portion surrounded by a rectangle is a button, and the user can execute a function assigned to the button by pressing the desired button using the remote controller 3. it can. The same applies to each screen described below.

The user sets the destination and waypoint on the map displayed on the monitor 2 by selecting address search, facility search or telephone number search using the remote controller 3. In this case, the user can set a plurality of waypoints. Data indicating the destination and waypoint set by the remote controller 3 is sent to the route search unit 130 via the input unit 17 and the HMI unit 100 of the navigation unit 1.

Next, search conditions are set (step ST14). That is, when the destination setting in step ST13 is completed, a search condition setting screen as shown in FIG. The user sets the route search conditions displayed on the monitor 2 using the remote controller 3. Specifically, the user sets a search priority condition by pressing any one of the “fastest route”, “shortest route”, and “easy route” buttons representing route priority conditions. In addition, for each item of the expressway, toll road, ferry ship, avoidance route area, and time limit road, one of the “use” button and the “do not use” button is pressed to set whether to use them.

Note that the “Map” button in the search condition setting screen shown in FIG. 4 is used to return the screen of the monitor 2 to the current location screen, the “Determine” button is used to confirm the setting contents, and the “Initial setting” button Is used to return the search condition to the initial value, and the “return” button is used to return to the previous screen. When the “OK” button on this search condition setting screen is pressed, data representing the set search conditions is sent to the route search unit 130 via the input unit 17 and the HMI unit 100 of the navigation unit 1.

Next, route search processing is executed (step ST15). That is, the route search unit 130 determines a route from the current position indicated by the current position data received from the vehicle position detection unit 90 to the destination through the waypoint set in step ST13 in step ST14. In accordance with the set search condition, the search is performed based on the flag created in order to realize the HOV route search function read from the map data storage unit 12. The route data representing the searched route is sent to the guidance guide unit 140.

Next, a route guidance process is executed (step ST16). That is, the guidance and guidance unit 140 includes the current position data sent from the vehicle position detection unit 90, the data representing the vehicle position mark sent from the map matching unit 120, and the route sent from the route search unit 130. Based on the flag created in order to realize the HOV guidance guidance function read from the data and map data storage unit 12, the drawing data and guidance guidance message for displaying the guidance guidance map on the screen of the monitor 2 are output by voice. Audio data to be generated is sent to the output unit 18.

Next, route display is performed (step ST17). That is, the output unit 18 generates a video signal based on the drawing data representing the map sent from the map display unit 110 of the control unit 10 and the drawing data representing the route and the vehicle position sent from the guidance guide unit 140. To do. The video signal generated by the output unit 18 is sent to the monitor 2. As a result, the guidance route and route guidance are displayed on the monitor 2. In this state, after confirming that the route displayed on the monitor 2 is the intended route, the user starts guidance by pressing a button (not shown) provided on the screen of the monitor 2 or by voice. Instruct.

Next, route guidance is started (step ST18). That is, when guidance start is instructed in step ST17, route guidance is started. Specifically, the output unit 18 displays video based on drawing data representing a map sent from the map display unit 110 of the control unit 10 and drawing data representing a route and the vehicle position sent from the guidance guide unit 140. While producing | generating a signal, an audio | voice signal is produced | generated based on the audio | voice data sent from the guidance guide part 140 of the control part 10. FIG. The video signal generated by the output unit 18 is sent to the monitor 2. As a result, the guidance route and route guidance are displayed on the monitor 2. The audio signal generated by the output unit 18 is sent to the audio speaker 4. As a result, a guidance message is output from the audio speaker 4. Thereafter, the guidance guidance messages corresponding to the environment that changes as the vehicle progresses are sequentially output, so that the user travels the vehicle along the guidance guidance.

Next, in order to deepen the understanding of the navigation device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, the flag will be described in more detail.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the relationship between the map data and flag stored in the map data storage unit 12 and the HOV function realized by the control unit 10. For example, in the HOV map matching function realized by the map matching unit 120, when acquiring road link data necessary for map matching processing, map matching processing is performed from among a vast number of categories included in the road link data. Instead of acquiring the data necessary for the process, the flag created by collecting the data necessary for the map matching process in advance is acquired. The same applies to the case where the HOV route search function realized by the route search unit 130 and the HOV guide guidance function realized by the guidance guide unit 140 are executed.

Hereinafter, a specific example will be described. Here, the flags used in the lane change permission determination performed in the processing for realizing the HOV route search function and the HOV guidance and guidance function will be described. In the following description, “attaching a flag” means attaching a flag to a road link if the road link has data that meets the conditions of the flag.

First, the road link data includes the following categories (only a part is shown).
(1-1) Number of passengers (NP) information 0: No number (no passengers specified)
1: more than 2 person (2 or more passengers)
(1-2) Lane separation line (7D) information 0: No marker (no separation line)
1: Long Dashed Line
2: Double Solid Line
3: Single Solid Line
4: Double line, combination of inner single solid line and outer dashed line (double line, combination of inner single solid line and outer dashed line)
5: Double line, combination of inner dashed line and outer single solid line (double line, combination of inner dashed line and outer single solid line)
6: Short Dashed Line
7: Shared Area Marking
8: Dashed Blocks
9: Physical Divider
10: Double dashed line
(1-3) Traffic road direction (DF) information 1: Open in both directions
2: Open in Positive directions (One-way traffic from south to north is possible)
3: Open in Negative directions (One-way traffic from north to south)
4: Closed in both directions
(1-4) Traffic lane direction (7F) information 1: Open in both directions
2: Open in Positive directions (One-way traffic from south to north is possible)
3: Open in Negative directions (One-way traffic from north to south)
4: Closed in both directions
(1-5) HOV lane position (R) information 1: HOV lane exists at right end 2: HOV lane exists at right end or center 3: HOV lane exists at left end 4: HOV lane exists at left end or center Existence 5: HOV lanes other than right end, left end or center

For example, the data of one road link includes information such as NP = 1, 7D = 4 & 8, DF = 3,.

Flags 0 to 3 are attached to road links as the following conditions.
Flag 0: A lane separation line where the HOV lane and the general lane can enter and leave.
Flag 1: A lane separation line that can only be removed from the HOV lane to the general lane.
Flag 2: Only the approach from the general lane to the HOV lane is possible.
Flag 3: A lane separation line in which HOV lanes and general lanes cannot enter or leave.

Using the flags 0 to 3, the road links are flagged as follows according to the type and combination of lane separation lines (7D).
(2-1) Number of passengers NP = 1 and flagging according to the type of lane separation line (7D) 0: No marker “Flag 0”
1: Long Dashed Line “Flag 0”
2: Double Solid Line “Flag 3”
3: Single Solid Line “Flag 3”
4: Double Line, combination of inner single solid line and outer dashed Line
“Flag 1” or “Flag 2” depending on which side of the line the HOV lane is
5: Double Line, combination of inner dashed line and outer single solid line
“Flag 1” or “Flag 2” depending on which side of the line the HOV lane is
6: Short Dashed Line “Flag 0”
7: Shared Area Marking “Flag 3”
8: Dashed Blocks “Flag 0”
9: Physical Divider "Flag 3"
10: Double dashed line “Flag 0”
(2-2) The number of passengers NP = 1 and a plurality of combinations of lane separation lines (7D) are also flagged in flags 0-3. In the case of the lane separation line 7D = 1 & 9, the combination of “Flag 0” and “Flag 3” becomes “Flag 3”. The following
In the case of a combination of “Flag 0” and “Flag 0”, “Flag 0”
In the case of a combination of “Flag 0” and “Flag 1”, “Flag 1”
In the case of a combination of “Flag 0” and “Flag 2”, “Flag 2”
In the case of a combination of “Flag 0” and “Flag 3”, “Flag 3”
In the case of a combination of “Flag 1” and “Flag 1”, “Flag 1”
In the case of the combination of “Flag 1” and “Flag 2”, “Flag 3”
In the case of a combination of “Flag 1” and “Flag 3”, “Flag 3”
In the case of a combination of “Flag 2” and “Flag 2”, “Flag 2”
In the case of a combination of “Flag 2” and “Flag 3”, “Flag 3”
In the case of a combination of “Flag 3” and “Flag 3”, “Flag 3”

Flags 10 to 15 with the following conditions are attached to road link data. The HOV lane position represented by each flag is shown in FIG.
Flag 10: Traffic road traveling direction (DF) = 1 and traffic lane traveling direction (7F) = 2, or traffic road traveling direction (DF) = 2, and lane position R = 1.
Flag 11: Traffic road traveling direction (DF) = 1 and traffic lane traveling direction (7F) = 3, or traffic road traveling direction (DF) = 3, and lane position R = 2.
Flag 12: Traffic road traveling direction (DF) = 1 and traffic lane traveling direction (7F) = 2, or traffic road traveling direction (DF) = 2, and lane position R = 5.
Flag 13: Traffic road traveling direction (DF) = 1 and traffic lane traveling direction (7F) = 3, or traffic road traveling direction (DF) = 3, and lane position R = 3.
Flag 14: Traffic road traveling direction (DF) = 1 and traffic lane traveling direction (7F) = 2, or traffic road traveling direction (DF) = 2, and lane position R = 4.
Flag 15: Traffic road traveling direction (DF) = 1 and traffic lane traveling direction (7F) = 3, or traffic road traveling direction (DF) = 3, and lane position R = 5.

Using the flags 10 to 15 and the flags 0 to 3 created as described above, processing for determining whether or not the HOV lane can be changed in the execution of the HOV route search function or the HOV guidance and guidance function is described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. explain.

First, the road link is read (step ST21). That is, the route search unit 130 or the guidance guide unit 140 reads data of one road link from the map data storage unit 12. Next, flags 10 to 15 are acquired (step ST22). That is, the route search part 130 or the guidance guide part 140 acquires the flag attached to the road link read in step ST21.

Next, determinations A to D are performed (step ST23). In step ST23, the determination of reading the lane separation line is determined. Next, flags 0 to 3 are acquired (step ST24). That is, the route search part 130 or the guidance guide part 140 acquires the flag attached to the road link read in step ST21.

Next, whether or not the HOV lane can be changed is determined (step ST25). In this step ST25, the route search unit 130 or the guidance and guidance unit 140 determines whether the conditions A to D are as follows according to the combination of the determination determined in step ST23 and the flag acquired in step ST24. Determine as shown in D.
Condition A: Combination of Flag 0 to 3 and Flag 10 or Flag 0 to 3 and Flag 11 Judgment A: The HOV lane is the value of the left lane separation line (7D), the HOV lane + 1 (left) lane is left and right Based on the adjacent lane separation line (7D), it is determined whether the lane can be changed by a combination of conditions.
Condition B: Combination of Flag 0 to 3 and Flag 13 or Flag 0 to 3 and Flag 14 Judgment B: The HOV lane is the value of the right lane separation line (7D), the HOV lane +1 (right) lane is left and right Based on the adjacent lane separation line (7D), it is determined whether the lane can be changed by a combination of conditions.
Condition C: Combination of Flags 0 to 3 and Flag 12 Determination C: Whether or not the lane can be changed is determined based on a combination of conditions based on the left and right lane separation lines (7D) of each lane.
Condition D: Combination of flags 0 to 3 and flag 15 Judgment D: Whether the lane can be changed according to a combination of conditions in the HOV lane and the lane adjacent to the left and right of the HOV lane based on the lane separation line (7D) judge.

Based on the result of the above determination of whether or not the HOV lane can be changed, the HOV guidance function or the HOV route search function is executed, and the result is output from the output unit 18.

As described above, according to the navigation device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the navigation function is executed using the flag including only the information necessary for executing the navigation function. There is no need to read data directly to perform navigation functions. For example, if the flag 10 does not exist, information such as the road direction (DF) of traffic, the direction of traffic lane (7F), and the position of the HOV lane (R) must be acquired from the map data. According to this navigation device, it is only necessary to acquire the flag 10. Accordingly, since the program for realizing the navigation function can be simplified, the size can be reduced and the program processing capability can be increased. As a result, route information or guidance information can be quickly provided to the user. In addition, the simplification of the program makes it possible to shorten the program production time, and further reduce the occurrence of program failures.

Note that the navigation device according to the first embodiment described above can be modified as follows. In other words, when the map data is updated, added or deleted (revised) using communication or DVD-ROM, etc., the data in the flag is also automatically generated or manually updated, added or deleted (revised), etc. It can be configured to make such changes.

In addition, when a new function is introduced as a navigation function into the navigation device, the map data storage unit 12 collects the flags created by collecting elements necessary for executing the introduced new function from the elements constituting the map data. It can be configured to be held in.

Also, when a function that already exists as a navigation function is deleted, it is possible to delete the flag necessary for executing the deleted function from the map data storage unit 12 as an unnecessary flag.

Also, as a flag, elements necessary for execution of functions other than the navigation function, such as an audio function, a video function, or a communication function can be collected from the elements constituting the map data.

In addition, when a new function other than the navigation function is introduced into the navigation device, the map data storage unit displays a flag created by collecting elements necessary for executing the introduced new function from the elements constituting the map data. 12 can be configured to be held.

Furthermore, when an already existing function other than the navigation function is deleted from the navigation device, a flag necessary for executing the deleted function can be deleted from the map data storage unit 12 as an unnecessary flag.

As described above, the navigation device according to the present invention reduces the program size, increases the processing capability, and can quickly provide route information or guidance information to the user. Since the navigation function is executed by using a flag including only, it is suitable for a navigation device that efficiently executes a navigation function such as route search or guidance.

Claims

A map data storage unit that holds a flag containing only information necessary for executing the navigation function created based on the map data;
A navigation device comprising: a control unit that reads a flag from the map data storage unit and executes a navigation function using the read flag.
The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the flag is created by collecting elements necessary for executing a navigation function including a route search function and a guidance and guidance function from elements constituting the map data.
The map data storage unit holds flags created by collecting elements necessary for the execution of the route search function and the guidance function using the car pool lane from the elements constituting the map data,
The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit reads a flag from the map data storage unit, and executes a route search function or a guidance guide function using a car pool lane using the read flag.
The navigation device according to claim 1, wherein the contents of the flag held in the map data storage unit are also changed in accordance with the change of the map data.
When a new function is introduced as a navigation function, a flag created by collecting elements necessary for executing the new function from elements constituting the map data is held in the map data storage unit. The navigation device according to claim 1.
The navigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when a function that already exists as a navigation function is deleted, a flag necessary for executing the deleted function is deleted from the map data storage unit.
The navigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the flag is created by collecting elements necessary for executing a function other than the navigation function from elements constituting the map data.
When a new function other than the navigation function is introduced, a flag created by collecting elements necessary for executing the new function from the elements constituting the map data is held in the map data storage unit. The navigation device according to claim 1.
2. The navigation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when a function that already exists other than the navigation function is deleted, a flag necessary for executing the deleted function is deleted from the map data storage unit.